Riot police sent in after ‘kill the bill’ protest in Bristol turns violent

A demonstration in Bristol against plans to give police increased powers to shut down protests has become violent with riot police and horses deployed, officers injured and vehicles torched after a week of protests against the controversial legislation.

Hundreds gathered at Bristol’s College Green before marching to a police station on nearby Nelson Street. Many were wearing masks and carried placards saying “Say no to UK police state” and “Freedom to protest is fundamental to democracy” and “Kill the bill”.

What began as a sit-down protest outside the station escalated as the evening progressed, Bristol Live reported, as riot police, dogs and police horses were deployed and police station windows were smashed.

Footage shared on social media showed demonstrators surrounded by riot officers and mounted police while chanting “10 years for protests, five years for rape” outside the station.

Avon and Somerset police said a firework had been set off and police vehicles were set alight, including a van parked near the station. Protesters also attempted to set fire to another marked police vans parked outside the station but officers managed to extinguish the small flames.

Chief Superintendent Will White, of Avon and Somerset police, said: “What started out as a peaceful protest has been turned by a small minority into violent disorder. These scenes are absolutely disgraceful and they will be widely condemned by people across the city. There can never be any excuse for wanton disorder. Officers have been subjected to considerable levels of abuse and violence. One officer suffered a broken arm and another suffered broken ribs. Both have been taken to hospital.”

He added: “These are men and women out there with the intention of serving and protecting the public – they should never be subjected to assaults or abuse in this way … All those involved in his criminal behaviour will be identified and brought to justice. There will be significant consequences for behaviour such as this.”

The Bristol mayor, Marvin Rees, criticised the violence as counter-productive, saying that rather than stopping government plans to increase police powers, the “lawlessness on show” will be “used as evidence and promote the need for the bill”.

Rees said: “The violence and damage that have emerged from today’s protests are unacceptable and have nothing to do with the real work we are doing to tackle political, economic and social inequality.

“I recognise the frustrations with the police, crime, sentencing and courts bill. I have major concerns about the bill myself, which is poorly thought-out and could impose disproportionate controls on free expression and the right to peaceful protest.”

The mayor said that Sunday’s actions “do nothing to bring us closer to justice”, underlining that he was “speaking as someone who himself … would be disproportionately likely to receive injustice”.

Both the home secretary and shadow home secretary condemned the scenes, with Priti Patel writing on Twitter: “Thuggery and disorder by a minority will never be tolerated. Our police officers put themselves in harms way to protect us all.” She said her thoughts were with the officers who had been injured.

A demonstrator gestures in front of a burning police vehicle during the protest.

A demonstrator gestures in front of a burning police vehicle during the protest. Photograph: Peter Cziborra/Reuters

Nick Thomas-Symonds described the scenes as “awful” and “shocking”, tweeting: “There is no excuse whatsoever for this violence. Thinking of those officers who have been injured, and their families, and wishing them a swift recovery.”

Source: (The Guardian)